Planning your trip to Italy and flying to Rome and wondering if you can buy a prepaid sim card on arrival at Rome Airport? Don't waste money on high roaming charges or slow overseas data roaming plans. This is a complete guide for buying a prepaid sim card on arrival at Rome Fiumicino International Airport (FCO) in 2024.

Find out where to buy a prepaid sim card at Rome Airport, up to date prices as per November 2024, info about the best eSIMs for Italy, the best 4G/5G network, my recommendation and everything else you need to know about buying a sim card for your trip to Rome.

Writing guides for the best ways to stay connected when traveling became a passion as finding the best sim card is the first thing I do when planning my next trip.

If you are more interested in using eSIMs when traveling to Rome then check out Traveltomtom's comparison of the best eSIMs for traveling to Italy in 2024.

Table of Contents

Touristy or not! This is Rome, one of the most awesome cities in the world. I have been to Rome multiple times and even after visiting more than 150 countries and uncountable big cities, I still think that Rome is a world apart. SIMPLY GORGEOUS!

Some links in this article about buying a sim card at Rome Airport are affiliate links. If you buy any of the products after using an affiliate link I will earn a small commission. Don't worry this is at absolutely no extra cost to you.

My recommendation

Traveltomtom recommends buying a Vodafone prepaid sim card on arrival at Rome Airport. For €35 EUR ($39 USD) you get 30 GB data in Italy, including 5 GB data for for EU data roaming. It is not the best prepaid sim card deal for Italy, but the best you can get at Rome Airport.

Prices for tourist sim cards in Rome city center are much cheaper. For more info check out my complete guide for buying a prepaid sim card in Italy in 2024.

Traveltomtom surely recommend eSIMs for traveling to Italy. Forget about the hassle buying a sim card at Rome Airport if your phone is eSIM compatible order an eSIM online.

Get an eSIM for Rome with 20 GB data for just $18 USD! Cheaper than buying a sim card at Rome Airport.

Here is my complete guide with everything you need to know before ordering an eSIM for Italy in 2024, including a comparison of the best Italy eSIMs from SimOptions, Sim Local, Nomad, Jetpac, Holafly, Airalo and other eSIM providers.

Another great alternative is ordering a world sim card for travelers with global coverage. Traveltomtom compared and reviewed the best international sim cards for traveling the world in 2024 and found out that some international sim card deals are great for traveling to Europe and cheaper than buying a prepaid sim card at Rome Airport.

Why buying a sim card for Rome

sim card rome fiumicino airport

Yes, your hotel has free WiFi and so do the restaurants and bars in Rome, but do you want to rely on others? What if the signal in your room is weak or the WiFi is so slow you can't even upload an Instagram story? Also keep in mind that public WiFi is an UNSECURED connection.

Disconnecting is the new luxury and I totally agree however, not in a city! Ordering an Uber on the streets to get back to your hotel, getting directions from Google Maps following a walking tour, finding tourist attractions in Rome, searching for a nearby restaurant with good views and so on. I can come up with a dozen reasons why being connected to the internet makes traveling in Rome much more convenient.

Buying a sim card at an airport in Europe won't get you the best deals unfortunately, but by all means it is the easiest and fastest way to get a local sim card. You just pay a little extra for this convenience.

Another great alternative these days is an eSIM. Meaning you order an eSIM for Italy online and you will receive a code on your mobile which you enter and it gives you access to a 4G/5G mobile network in Italy. New technology that does not involve swapping physical sim cards.

More about buying eSIMs for Italy in the link where you will find my complete guide with everything you need to know about using eSIMs for traveling.

I started documenting all my travel tips for fellow travelers to save money and now on Traveltomtom you can already find more than 200 sim card guides from all over the world. As part of my journey to visit every country in the world I constantly get to new countries: Budapest, Dublin, Oslo, Vienna, Dubai, Cape Town, Riyadh, Hong Kong, Bali, Bangkok, Brazil, Colombia, China, Philippines, Egypt and many more.

So when planning your next trip abroad make sure to come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid and eSIM advice. Bookmark me to help you save money.

Arriving at Fiumicino Airport Rome

best sim card rome fiumicino airport

Fiumicino (FCO) is the major international airport for tourists visiting Italy and also called Leonardo Da Vinci Airport sometimes. Rome Airport is located about 35 kilometers outside Rome City Center and has two operating Terminals at the moment: 1 and 3, Terminal 5 is still being renovated as of beginning of 2024.

Most international flights arrive at Terminal 3, the largest and mostly used terminal for long-haul flights and also where you can find the sim card stores for arriving tourists.

Arriving at Rome Airport is pretty straight forward and you will easily be guided by the signs. The arrival halls is rather small.

Later also more about how to get from Rome Airport to the city center.

Where to buy a sim card at Rome Airport

Arrival Hall Terminal 1

When arriving at Terminal 1 I have bad news for you. I checked around and could not find any shop in Terminal 1 that sells prepaid sim cards for tourists. When I asked the information desk for an Italy prepaid sim card the lady confirmed that you can only buy sim cards in Terminal 3.

Luggage belts and arrival Hall Terminal 3

where to buy sim card rome airport

After passport control you can buy a sim card at the luggage belts but at the luggage belt there is only Vodafone store.

In the arrival hall at Rome Airport there is another Vodafone store and also a TIM store. The sim card stores in the arrival hall are very easy to find. When you walk into the arrival hall you turn left after the sliding doors and then the Vodafone and TIM shops are on your left hand side.

Here is my vlog about my arrival at Rome Fiumicino Airport and my experiences buying a prepaid sim card.

Prices sim cards at Rome Airport in 2024

The below info and prices are updated as per November 2024. Prices are in Euros: $1 USD = €0.94 EUR and €1 EUR = $1.06 USD.

You can only buy physical prepaid sim cards at Rome Airport. The sim card stores at Rome Airport do NOT offer eSIMs for tourists.

Vodafone stores

vodafone italy sim card rome airport

Vodafone Italy sim cards can be bought at the luggage belts as well as at the store in the arrival hall. They offer the exact same sim card deals, so it does not matter where you buy one. Just pick one that is not that busy if you really want to buy a sim card at Rome Airport. Because remember in the city center you find the same packages for only 50% of the price.

Vodafone offers 2 Italy prepaid sim card deals at Rome Airport:

  • 30 GB in Italy (incl. 5 GB free EU data roaming) + 300 minutes = €35 EUR - $38.5 USD
  • 70 GB in Italy (incl. 12 GB free EU data roaming) + 600 minutes = €55 EUR - $60.5 USD

Sim card deals with a lot of data, but very limited free EU roaming and not the best sim card if you will continue traveling in Europe after you visit Rome. With a Vodafone Italy prepaid sim card you can make use of the 5G network in case there is 5G available.

For more info about the 4G/5G network strength in Italy please have a look at my article about the best prepaid sim card in Italy in 2024.

Tim Store Arrival Hall

tim sim card rome fiumicino airport

At the TIM store they sell 4 different prepaid sim cards for Italy:

  • 15 GB data (incl. 6 GB Free EU Roaming) + 200 minutes = €30 EUR - $33 USD
  • 70 GB data (incl. 8 GB Free EU Roaming) + unlimited minutes in Italy = €35 EUR - $38.5 USD
  • 100 GB data for Italy = €40 EUR - $44 USD
  • 200 GB data for Italy = €50 EUR (5G network available) - $55 USD

Unfortunately TIM prepaid sim cards do NOT allow you to use the 5G network, only if specified. There are no tourist eSIMs available, only physical prepaid sim cards.

Italy sim cards and free EU data roaming

Good news is that most of the prepaid sim cards in Italy have some EU data roaming included but there are limitations so when buying a sim card in Rome Airport and traveling onwards in Europe double check before buying a prepaid tourist sim card at Rome Airport.

Free EU data roaming means that the data, voice and text allowance on your Italy sim card are also valid when traveling to Amsterdam, London, Stockholm or anywhere else in Europe at no extra costs. For more info check my guide for buying a local sim card in Europe.

Best sim card at Rome Airport in 2024

If you buy a sim card at Rome city center you can get an Italy prepaid sim card with 100 GB for less than $20 USD. Therefore I am hesitant telling you what is the 'best' sim card at Rome Airport. Prices for sim cards at Rome airport are obviously tourist prices.

Check out my complete guide for buying a prepaid tourist sim card in Italy in 2024.

Vodafone sim cards at Rome Airport are €5 EUR ($5.5 USD) more expensive than TIM sim cards, but they offer 15 GB more data and the Vodafone 4G/5G network in Italy is much stronger.

Traveltomtom comes to the conclusion that Vodafone is the best prepaid sim card at Rome Airport.

 

There are no eSIMs available on Rome Airport so if you want/need an eSIM you have to order one online. In my comparison of the best eSIMs for Italy in 2024 I found out that eSIMs already start from just $1 USD and for $18 USD you already get 20 GB data.

eSIMs are much more convenient and also cheaper than buying a tourist sim card at Rome Airport.

Best eSIMs for Italy

The easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Rome in 2024 is an eSIM. You order an eSIM on the internet and you arrange everything within just a couple clicks.

You order an eSIM for Rome on the internet, you receive a QR code, scan it, follow the simple steps and within less than 2 minutes you have a Italy eSIM installed on your phone.

Upon arrival in Rome it automatically connects you to an available network and you enjoy data on your phone pretty much when the plane lands.

Make sure your phone is eSIM compatible before ordering an eSIM for Italy.

For much more details and answers on all FAQ about eSIMs check out my complete guide with everything you need to know before ordering an eSIM for traveling to Italy.

Here are some recommendations.

Airalo

airalo esim card plans for italy 2024

Airalo is a trusted eSIM provider that sells eSIMs from pretty much every country around the world. Check out the Airalo eSIM deals for Italy in 2024:

  • 1 GB data for 7 days = $4.5 USD
  • 2 GB data for 15 days = $8 USD
  • 3 GB data for 30 days = $10 USD
  • 5 GB data for 30 days = $14.5 USD
  • 10 GB data for 30 days = $24 USD
  • 20 GB data for 30 days = $33 USD

Click here to directly order an Airalo eSIM for Italy.

Always check out Airalo as they constantly have ongoing promotions. Just recently they had 50% off all their Italy eSIM plans.

The above Italy eSIMs from Mamma Mia operate on the 4G/LTE networks of Vodafone, TIM and WindTre. More info about the best 4G/5G network in Italy later... These eSIMs are data-only sim cards valid only in Italy and calling and texting is NOT supported.

SimOptions

simoptions international esim cards for italy 2024

SimOptions is a very reliable eSIM provider and Traveltomtom has used SimOptions in more than 50 countries around the world without ever facing an issue.

SimOptions sells international eSIMs. These eSIMs are valid in all of Europe and beyond, come with free EU data roaming and include (unlimited) calling and texting. You can order these eSIMs via SimOptions and some are even 5G ready.

  • 10 GB data-only (5G ready) in Europe for 30 days = $22.90 USD
  • 15 GB data in Europe + unlimited calls for 15 days = $23.90 USD
  • 12 GB data in Europe + 30 minutes international + unlimited calls/text for 14 days = $29.90 USD
  • 30 GB data in Europe + unlimited calls for 30 days = $44.90 USD
  • 30 GB data in Europe + 120 minutes international + unlimited calls/text for 14 days = $49.90 USD
  • 60 GB data in Europe + unlimited calls for 30 days = $51.90 USD
  • 100 GB data in Europe (5G ready) + 120 minutes international + unlimited calls/text for 28 days = $59.90 USD

Click here to order an international eSIM for Italy via SimOptions.

For more info about using eSIMs for traveling to Italy check out my guide for finding the best eSIM for your trip to Italy in 2024 with more eSIM deals from Jetpac, Holafly, etc.

Order a prepaid sim card for Italy online

international prepaid sim card for italy

If your phone is not eSIM compatible and you are not looking forward buying a sim card after a long haul flight then you can also order a physical prepaid sim card for Italy on the internet. An international sim card will be delivered to your home address and is already pre-activated. Simple, easy and reliable!

Check out the following prepaid sim card deals for traveling to Rome that you order via SimOptions.

1. O2 Go Card - $24.90

  • 10 GB data
  • $2 calling credit (no top-up)
  • valid for 30 days
  • valid in 34 countries
  • 4G/LTE

2. Three Data Pack - $24.90

  • 10 GB data
  • Unlimited calls/sms
  • Valid 30 days
  • Valid in 56 countries
  • 4G/LTE

3. Orange Holiday ZEN - $29.90

  • 12 GB data
  • Unlimited calls/sms in Europe
  • 30 minutes worldwide
  • 200 sms worldwide
  • Valid 14 days
  • Valid in 34 countries
  • 4G/LTE

4. Bouygues Telecom - $44.90

  • 30 GB data
  • Unlimited calls in Europe
  • Valid 30 days
  • Valid in 47 countries
  • 4G/LTE

5. Orange Holiday Europe - $49.90

  • 30 GB data
  • Unlimited calls/sms in Europe
  • 120 minutes worldwide
  • 1,000 sms worldwide
  • Valid 14 days
  • Valid in 34 countries
  • 4G/LTE

Click here to order an international sim card for Rome directly via SimOptions or find more info in the link.

These international prepaid sim cards are for traveling in every country in Europe. A physical prepaid sim card will be delivered to your home address and you simply put it in your phone on arrival. Plug and play.

Also a last reminder that if your phone is eSIM compatible you can order an eSIM for Italy on the internet. Here is everything you need to know about using an eSIM for traveling to Italy and find your eSIM plan for your trip to Rome.

How to get from Rome Airport to the city centerhow to go from rome airport to the city

If you are looking for the best way from Fiumicino Rome Airport to Rome city center then you have three options: bus, train or taxi. Taxi is of course the most expensive, but in some cases a great alternative, especially if you are with more people. Taking an Uber will cost you around €60 EUR, but an official airport taxi is cheaper: €50 EUR.

There are many busses leaving outside Terminal 3 that go directly to Termini Station in Central Rome. Prices for busses range from €8.90 to €11 EUR but all offer the exact same service. Just grab the one that is about to leave soon. Busses take around 45 minutes to 1 hour.

There is also a direct train service between Rome Airport and Termini station. Every 15 minutes a train leaves and brings you in 30 minutes to Rome Termini. This Express train cost €23 EUR ($25 USD) one-way in 2024.

Meaning if you are with 3 people it makes sense to just take a taxi. That is what my friends and I did when we visited Rome this summer.

Traveltomtom also wrote specific Milan and Venice sim card guides and of course a complete guide for buying a prepaid sim card for tourists in Italy in 2024.

Looking for a Rome itinerary? Check out my friends blog with all the tourist spots.

I hope all this information about buying a sim card at Rome Airport and how to get there and back was helpful. If you have any questions please leave me a comment below or check out my Instagram profile @traveltomtom.

Be careful as it could cause some serious wanderlust. As per November 2024 I visited more than 155 countries on my road to visit every country in the world.

Enjoy your trip to Rome!